A DRINK-DRIVER who killed a mother-of-three has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

David Dunbar had been celebrating his 23rd birthday the day he ploughed into Janet O’Toole.

Janet and her partner had been walking the mile journey to her Scarisbrick home before they were hit by the learner driver who was speeding and over the drink-drive limit.

The 41-year-old nurse died from multiple injuries at hospital.

At Preston Court, a judge considered moving tributes to the woman who was described as being loved by everyone who knew her and had devoted her working life to caring for others, including terminally-ill children.

Dunbar pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and not having insurance.

The collision occurred on the night of April 1 last year after the couple had gone out for a meal.

They ended the evening at the old Morris Dancers pub and had parked nearby, in order to walk home.

Janet’s partner, Stephen Parker, sustained relatively minor injuries, but in a victim statement spoke of his life being over in just two seconds.

Prosecutor Hilary Banks said Southport Road had a 40mph limit.

Mr Parker had described to police how the road was clear and he had looked both ways before they started to cross. They were well into the road when he was alerted to the sound of a car engine revving hard and high.

He saw dazzling headlights and went on to be hit by something.

He heard Janet scream and then saw her lying face down on the road.

A couple of witnesses tried to give chase after Dunbar and another man left the scene.

He later claimed that the vehicle had been stolen.

In his second police interview he told officers: “I'm really sorry and if I could take it all back I certainly would.”

Janet's mother had made a victim impact statement in which she described her daughter as a respected and valued member of society and a wonderful mother.

She was a woman who had been a caring, loving and much loved family member, as well as someone who was kind, generous and missed so much by all who knew her.

She had also stated: “The person who killed her should realise there is a debt to pay for taking from society a person who has had so much to contribute.”

He had written a letter to the court in which he said: “I can only say how sorry I am.”

Miss Lloyd added: “He knows their lives have been devastated and will never be the same again.

“Bluntly, he is wracked with guilt.

“He will never forget, nor should he ever forget what the date of the terrible incident was, the date of his birthday. He wishes to express his utter remorse.”

Judge Anthony Russell QC banned Dunbar, from Beechtrees, Digmoor, Skelmersdale from driving for five years, after which he must take an extended test before getting any licence.

He told the defendant: “It should have been obvious to you that what you were doing was driving dangerously. You took a risk. You drove, having consumed more than the legal amount of alcohol by some margin.

“There is an important message to express when dealing with cases of this kind. Motor vehicles can be lethal weapons if not driven properly.”